20. McKenna
I’m panic cleaning our new place. It’s not a mess, but I want everything to be as tidy as possible for when the woman I’m interviewing gets here.
Carson just purchased a house a few weeks ago with his rookie signing bonus. I told him not to, but he said between his trust and the signing bonus, he had more money than he knew what to do with and that investing in real estate was something his agent suggested.
Speak of the devil, I remove Carson’s noise-canceling gaming headset from his head. He peeks up from his spot on the couch with a what-the-fuck look on his face.
“Carse, can you help me pick up quickly before she arrives?” I ask.
He answers me with a question. “Before who arrives?”
“You haven’t been listening to a word I’ve said, have you?” I question with a huff. “The nanny I’m interviewing to help watch Cadence a few days a week.”
“Wait, you’re hiring a nanny? Is she hot?”
“Seriously? No. Nope. You’re not messing this up for Cades and me. I need someone I can trust to take good care of my daughter and not bone my brother!”
“I mean, multitasking is a great skill to have on a resume—definitely comes in handy while nannying.”
“You’re incorrigible. I wonder why you’re still single . . .”
“Coming from my very single twin sister.” He flashes me the sassiest of smirks.
I roll my eyes. “Can you just help me? Quickly. She will be here any minute. Just pick up the wrappers from the coffee table and fold the blankets on the couch. I’ll do a quick sweep of the kitchen.”
Just as I’m putting a few of Cadence’s toys away, the doorbell rings. I jog to the front door and swing it open to find a beautiful brunette woman in front of me. She’s got the brightest smile that reaches up to her emerald-green eyes.
“Hi there. I’m McKenna,” I say, reaching my hand out for her to shake.
“Hello, I’m Dakota. It’s so nice to meet you.”
“You too! Thanks for being flexible with me. I didn’t have much time in my schedule to meet up at a coffee shop. Come right this way. We can chat in the kitchen.”
Dakota steps through the door frame, and I guide her to the kitchen.
“Sorry, we can just sit on the barstools. We just moved in, so not all of the furniture has been unpacked yet,” I clarify.
“Oh, that’s okay. I don’t mind.” She has the slightest Southern twang to her voice.
“Alright, well, I suppose I’ll just jump right into it. I’m looking for a nanny for my daughter, Cadence. She’s sixteen months old. She hasn’t started walking yet, but she crawls everywhere.”
“What a beautiful name that is. I love that stage, where they’re learning something new each day!” Dakota sounds so genuinely kind—I can’t help but smile.
“I know, it’s so much fun to watch. But please, tell me a little bit about yourself and why you applied for the position.”
“Right, I have to apologize in advance. I’m a bit rusty when it comes to interviewing.”
“That’s okay. I’ve never conducted an interview before. Think of it as a chance to get to know one another.”
“Well, I graduated from college a couple of years ago with a degree in English. I’ve always loved working with kids of all ages. I babysat my younger cousins from the time I was twelve until I moved away for college. When it comes down to it, I’m looking for something to occupy my time while I figure out what I want to do next with my degree.”
Just then, I notice Carson has come out of the pantry with an armful of snacks. He’s stopped dead in his tracks, staring at Dakota.
“Oh, hello! I’m Dakota. I’m here to interview for the nannying position.”
Carson’s eyes literally smolder when she smiles his way. Setting his snacks on the island, Carse tries to look casual, crossing his arms and leaning against the edge of the counter.
“You must be Mr. Wilder,” she continues, holding out her hand for Carson to shake.
“Carson, McKenna’s twin brother. But you can call me Mr. Wilder if you’d like.” He untucks one of his arms to shake Dakota’s now outstretched hand.
“Oh my goodness, my apologies. It’s nice to meet you, Carson.” Dakota’s breath hitches when her hand meets Carson’s. She quickly pulls it away as if she”s been burnt.
Trying to steer away from the awkward tension that Carson brought into the room, I ask Dakota, “What’s your availability for weekends and evenings? I’m on Abbott University’s volleyball team, so I may need the nanny to watch her during games if my parents decide not to bring her.”
“Honestly? I have practically no life. Most of my friends and family live out of state, so I rarely have plans that will conflict with your game or practice schedule. I’m assuming you’re also looking for someone to watch her while you’re in classes?”
“Just two days per week while I’m in class. The rest of the nannying position would come for practice times and games. There may also be the occasional nights where Carson plays that I might want to watch, but the games would be too late for Cadence.”
“That all sounds great.” Then Dakota turns to Carse and asks, “Do you also play a sport for Abbott?”
“I did last season. I just signed my rookie contract with the Minnesota Wolverines.” When she continues to stare at him blankly, he adds, “I am a professional hockey player.”
“Oh my gosh, how silly of me. My apologies, I don’t follow any sports aside from football. I don’t have much of a choice there.”
“Why is that?” Carson questions.
“Well, growing up in Texas, it’s ingrained in our way of life.”
“Ah, so that’s where that slight drawl comes from. I like it.” Carse flashes a smirk at her.
Dakota’s cheeks turn crimson as she continues, “Then there’s the fact that my older brother plays football for the Denver Mustangs.”
“Shit, really? What’s his name?” Carse asks, leaning forward with intrigue.
“Brody Meyer, he plays—”
Carson interrupts, “Are you kidding me? Brody Meyer, one of the league’s all-time greatest quarterbacks, is your older brother?”
Her cheeks heat darker, if that’s possible.
“My one and only.”
Knowing I need to put Dakota out of her misery, I ask, “Hey, Carse, could you go check on Cadence? I think I heard her just now. She might have woken up from her nap.”
Without another word, Carson runs from the room. “I’m coming, Cadey Cat!” If there’s one person he loves most in this world, it’s Cadence.
Shaking my head, I turn back to Dakota. “I’m sorry about him. He’s a great guy, I swear. He just—he can be like a puppy dog sometimes.”
She covers her mouth to hide her chuckles. “I think he and I will get along just fine. If I get the job, that is.”
“I’m going to cut to the chase. I’m very much a person who picks up on vibes others put off. And I sense you’re wanting this job for more reasons than just to occupy your time,” I pause, and Dakota looks down at her hands folded in her lap.
“When it comes down to it, I’m looking for something to do while my husband works. He has a very demanding job, working long hours, and I’m bored of only being a housewife.” Her tone shifts, and maybe it’s just that she’s shy, but she sounds hesitant to admit that aloud.
“Well, I’m just glad you applied for the job. I’d love to have you meet Cadence when she wakes up. If you pass the final test—getting her approval—then you’re hired.”
“Oh my goodness, I was not expecting this. I mean, I had hoped it would go well. But I thought my interviewing skills were so rusty you’d pick someone else for sure.”
Just then, Carson enters the room with a smiling Cadence on his hip.
“What’d we miss?” He raises a brow. Cadence looks from me to Dakota and smiles so big her little dimple pops. Cadence claps her hands together, wiggling her body excitedly in Carson’s arms.
“I offered Dakota the position. And I’m hoping she’s about to accept the offer.”
She stands up and heads over to Carson and Cadence. “Of course, I accept! Look at this darlin’. How could I say no to this smile?”
Carson’s face lights up. “I do have a great smile, don’t I? I had braces for two years in middle school and haven’t lost any teeth on the ice yet.”
“I wasn’t talking about you, Golden Boy,” Dakota taunts so quietly I barely hear it.
“Hear that, Mack? She’s already got a nickname for me.” He ruefully wiggles his eyebrows, then looks at Dakota, “Careful, Austin, I might develop a crush.”
“I’m actually from Dallas.”
Carson just shakes his head and smiles at her. I haven’t seen this look from him before. It’s like he’s enamored. I’ll have to break it to him later that she said she’s married.
It’s Carson’s and my twenty-first birthday today. We didn’t go out last night at midnight because I had a match earlier today. But Carse is refusing to let me back out of going out. He even arranged for Dakota to watch Cadence for me.
Our parents are joining us tonight at the bars. It might seem strange to have your parents join your twenty-first birthday, but we’re both so close with them that it wouldn’t feel right to celebrate this milestone without them.
A group of our friends met us downtown tonight to celebrate and we’re at a bar by the arena Carson plays at, The Wolf Den. Brooke, Alexa, and a few of my other teammates are on the dance floor while I’m at the long table we reserved for the night, taking a shot with Carson and Ian.
Ian was Carson’s roommate for the past two years, up until Carson signed with the Wolverines and bought his house this summer.
When I grabbed a shot from his hand earlier and took it, Ian teased me, “You already stole my roommate. Now you’re stealing my liquor? That’s it. You owe me a dance.”
Ian and I have had an easygoing friendship since Carson introduced me to him. Over the past few months, though, he’s turned up the charm and flirted endlessly with me. I can’t say I hate the attention though. It’s been almost two years since I’ve danced with a guy.
I’m laughing, and my cheeks are flushed as Ian leads me out onto the makeshift dance floor. Wrapping his arms around my waist, Ian pulls my back flush to his chest and before I know it, we’re getting lost in the music, finding our rhythm together. After a few songs go by, I’m buzzed from the liquor and the music flowing through me.
Wait, I’m literally buzzing.
I realize then that it’s my phone vibrating in the back pocket of my jeans.
Looking down at my phone, I see it’s a call from an unknown caller. I’m not even sure why I do it, but I pull away from Ian before hitting the green button.
Bringing the phone to my ear, I hold my other hand over my other ear so I can hear over the loud bar. “Hello?”
I’m met with silence on the other end. This is giving me a sense of Deja Vu.
“Helloooo. This is McKenna. Did you get the wrong number?”
“No, I didn’t.”
My breath hitches when I hear Griffin’s deep tone.
“Happy birthday, Sunshine.”
Click.
That’s it? After almost two years of silence, that’s it?
But . . . he didn’t forget.
Why does he do this to me?
He called me as an unknown caller, meaning I couldn’t call him back or text him if I wanted to.
How dare he call me Sunshine and then just hang up.
It’s as if he could sense I was having fun with another guy for the first time since he shattered my heart.
With one short phone call, with just one word, he’s thrown my heart from my chest and sent it free falling.
Fuck you, Griffin Turner.